Talent does what it can with genius

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AN ODD collection of documentaries on geniuses this week, a wilful randomness to the selection that made it look like the answer to the question “Who would be your ideal dinner-party guests?” by someone who was trying too hard, possibly Wayne Hemingway.

Peter Cook on BBC Two (At a Slight Angle to the Universe, Saturday), was followed by Elgar on BBC One (Enigma: A Hidden Portrait, Sunday), and then Abba on ITV1 (Super Troupers: Thirty Years of Abba, Tuesday).

All three programmes served to make the last thought you were proud of — which for me was putting the deep